Bayonetta’s “Perfect” Famitsu Score – There’s A Catch

PlatinumGames’ sexy action game Bayonetta made headlines earlier today for securing a “perfect” 40 out of 40 score from the editors of Japan’s Famitsu magazine. That’s kind of a big deal. But there’s a footnote worth mentioning.

See, those “perfect” Famitsu scores are generally granted very infrequently, though the rarity of that particular accolade is waning. Bayonetta was noteworthy for being the first multi-platform game to be awarded that score. It would also set a record for the number of 40 out of 40 scores awarded in one year, assuming that Final Fantasy XIII will, out of courtesy, achieve the same.

But it’s also the first time a game has been awarded a 40 and a 38, according to what appear to be shots of Famitsu’s review section.

How so? Well, that quartet of 10s awarded by the Famitsu editorial staff is only for the Xbox 360 version. The PlayStation 3 port handled by SEGA, clearly lagging behind its more perfect sibling, was granted a 38 out of 40 from Famitsu. That’s obviously still quite good, if you put any weight into Famitsu scores. And it’s sure to lead to some squabbling from the console camps people have aligned themselves with.

Don’t worry about it too much. Just call it another reason to get the Xbox 360 version, if you have the means.

Discuss

(16 Comments)
  • [–]

    Hieronimus

    Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 2:18 PM

    I thought you were going to stress on the fact that in its 20 year life, half (6 out of 12) of its perfect scores have been given to games from the past 2 years…
    But well, the games that got that score seem to be very good anyway so perhaps there is still some integrity in it.

  • [–]

    Timo

    Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 2:48 PM

    Famitsu’s review of Haze anyone?

  • [–]

    Darius

    Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 2:51 PM

    i knew xbox was better that phONY… all along…

    • [–]

      plmko

      Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 3:24 PM

      But its a crap game.

    • [–]

      Vike

      Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 4:35 PM

      It’s not that the xbox 360 is more powerful, it’s that SEGA who handled the port, botched the job.

  • [–]

    40/40

    Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    Famitsu = Rubbish.
    If your stupid enough to listen to them you would also be stupid enough to listen to Gamespot reviews.
    Prefect scores…what a wank off.

    • [–]

      Shoitaan

      Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 5:00 PM

      Famitsu = rubbish to you. Very highly regarded in Japan. May not matter to you but i’ll raise a few eyebrows among the Otaku ;)

  • [–]

    Kioto

    Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 4:59 PM

    @40/40: I would have to agree with you. I find it hard to believe there are so many prefect games out there.

    To say that a game is 100%; would mean it doesn’t contain one single bug / error / exploit or imbalance

    I really have my doubts about that…

    • [–]

      David Wildgoose

      Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 5:06 PM

      Nonsense. No reviewer would ever claim that a 40/40 or 10/10 or 100% or 5 stars or an A+ means the game is perfect in every way. It just means there’s little reasonable room for improvement. Or, it’s AWESOME.

      If Famitsu can’t award a 40/40, then they should just score out of 39…

      • [–]

        Ethan Iacobozzi

        Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 5:55 PM

        Indeed. It should be obvious that every game ever made has room for improvement, however small. Perfection (in games) doesn’t exist.

      • [–]

        Jickle

        Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 6:53 PM

        Absolutely agree with David on this one, generally speaking. Having said that, Famitsu hasn’t been quite so highly revered since they gave a 40 to Nintendogs. :P

  • [–]

    Toolboy

    Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 9:20 PM

    Does anybody still pay attention to these “scores” anymore?

  • [–]

    Chris Ryan

    Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 7:54 AM

    Makes one wonder wot Famitsu scored RapeLay…

    • [–]

      Shaoken

      Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 10:16 AM

      They didn’t. It’s not an officalgame remember?

  • [–]

    El Phantasmogoro

    Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 4:11 PM

    This game is terrible. It’s Devil May Cry with ugly characters who look like their skin is made of uncooked dough and tonnes of added WHOAH RANDOM.

  • [–]

    timbizcut

    Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 10:07 AM

    I don’t know El Phantasmogoro, I haven’t played any demo’s, but I think there is definitely room on the 360/PS3 for this type of action game. Hopefully there are a few innovations to set it apart from the DMC franchise. Also, from the screen-shots and different articles from some of the art design team, I am looking really forward to the art/design of this game. It may not be worth a score of 40 but I find it hard to believe it will be a ‘terrible game”.

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